Steering radius

Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:07 pm

I am new to LoBoy tractors and have a 185 as of a couple weeks ago. I noted immediately that the tractor has a fairly short turning radius to the right but probably twice as wide to the left. Are they all like this or is something out of adjustment on mine? My tractor is in pretty good shape in that it looks good and seems to be in mechanically very good but for the steering mentioned and what I guess is typical blow by. I have bronchitis so can't take the blow by smoke. I guess I will tear it down and see if rings and/or valve work will cure it. If not sadly it will have to go in spite of my liking it a lot. I am even thinking of putting a pipe with an elbow on the filler tube and run it down to the deck. That may keep me from smelling it so much...... gota do something.Mike

Re: Steering radius

Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:48 pm

Welcome to the board!

For the steering radius, something is out if adjustment. Drive the tractor straight forward a few feet, then stop and kill the engine. Get off and have a look at the pitman arm under the engine, behind the front axle. It should be pointing directly at the axle pivot. It not, one side will turn sharper than the other.First check that the index mark on the steering gearbox output shaft is inline with the line on the gearbox shaft arm. Then, you'll need to adjust the rod going forward so that the pitman faces straight forward towards the axle pivot. Then adjust the rods going to each wheel so that the wheels are straight, with the front actually being about a 1/4" closer than the rear of the front wheels.

For the blow by smoke, run a can of Seafoam/MMO in the gas and run it hard to see if it helps clear any of it up. If not, perform a dry then wet compression test of all the cylinders to check the condition of the engine.

Re: Steering radius

Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:03 am

As for the exhaust, you might consider selling yours and purchasing one that already has the underslung exhaust. I really love my 2 '55's for just that reason. Also, you don't have to be as careful to avoid low branches (only for self preservation!)

I will admit, however, that while mowing in my woods yesterday, the vertical exhaust/muffler did catch the spider webs before I got them smack in my face!!!

Re: Steering radius

Tue Aug 13, 2013 7:46 am

Hey Mike:

G'day and congrats on the new to you 185 Hopefully the following links will be of use to you.

We have a lot of resources for our members here and I always suggest that folks take the time to read the info in the links below:

to Farmallcub.com Forum Family. And you have come to the right place for all things Cub related. If you click on the Site Rules, Regulations, & Important Information, it will point you to the Welcome Wagon wherein you will find links to many useful sites and topics. One of the most important resources are Owner's Manuals, Parts Catalogs and Service Manuals. The Cub Manual Server is the home of the jpg versions and the PDF Manuals -- well the pdf's of course Enjoy!.

Re: Steering radius

Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:17 am

Dale Finch wrote:As for the exhaust, you might consider selling yours and purchasing one that already has the underslung exhaust. I really love my 2 '55's for just that reason. Also, you don't have to be as careful to avoid low branches (only for self preservation!)

I will admit, however, that while mowing in my woods yesterday, the vertical exhaust/muffler did catch the spider webs before I got them smack in my face!!!

Dale, the numbered series has a different exhaust setup than the F-Cubs and offset LoBoys, they were all under the hood, facing forward then out the front left. And, unless I'm terribly mistaken, I believe he was referring to the blowby smoke coming out of the oil fill tube, not the exhaust.

Re: Steering radius

Tue Aug 13, 2013 8:30 am

I have bronchitis so can't take the blow by smoke.

An engine overhaul will virtually eliminate blow-by. My 154 has some blow-by. The blow-by is directed down due to the shape of the oil filler cap and doesn't reach the operator.

The exhaust is higher up on the engine than the oil filler cap, so perhaps exhaust gasses are part of the problem.

Re: Steering radius

Wed Aug 14, 2013 7:44 am

On my tractor, the steering arm was bent. (the one that runs between the steering box and the front pivot arm by the oil pan)The rod is supposed to be straight. Once straightened, it would steer the same radius in each direction. It can get bent if an operator drives one tire into a solid item (like a tree).

I slipped a piece of 1/2" black pipe over the rod to add more support. A rod that has been bent before has a tendency to bend easier once again.

Re: Steering radius

Wed Aug 14, 2013 1:02 pm

All of mine turn equal in both directions!--check as Ray said and go from there! thanks ; sonny